Abstract: A polymer fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, wherein the filler content, based on the polymer fiber, is more than about 10% by weight and the mean particle size (D50) of the filler is less than or equal to about 6 ?m. A textile fabric, especially nonwoven, produced from the polymer fiber.

Abstract: Silicon single crystals are pulled from a melt in a crucible, the single crystal surrounded by a heat shield, the lower end of which is a distance h from the melt surface, wherein gas flows downward between the single crystal and the heat shield, outward between the lower end of the heat shield and the melt, and then upward in the region outside the heat shield. The internal diameter of the heat shield at its lower end is 55 mm or more than the diameter of the single crystal, and the radial width of the heat shield at its lower end is not more than 20% of the diameter of the single crystal. Highly doped single crystals pulled accordingly have a void concentration ?50 m?3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical insulation enamels which contain a polymer comprising a base polymer and modifying units which are incompatible with the base polymer after the polymer has cured and lead to the formation of separate phases at the surface, and to processes for the production thereof. The electrical insulation enamels have a low coefficient of friction and frictional resistance and are preferably suitable for the coating of wires.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrophobic cable, particularly a cable for medical devices having a hydrophobic surface. The hydrophobic cable includes a conductive unit arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cable, an insulating sheath coated onto an outer portion of the conductive unit and made of a PVC material, and a coating film formed outside the insulating sheath. Here, the coating film may be formed by curing a coating solution including at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of a silane compound and a siloxane compound.

Abstract: A multiwire unit having a plurality of wire sections which are formed in one piece from a tubular piece whose tubular jacket is subdivided in at least an axial subsection by a plurality of axial slots. The wire pieces remain interlinked at a front end section at a distance to a front tube face, and assume a bent functional state downstream of the wire linking area in a defined functional state of the multiwire unit. The front wire linking area, in the functional state of the multiwire unit, is shaped to an essentially tipless front end closure. For this purpose, the axial slots end at an appropriate small axial distance to the front tube face. The multiwire unit may be formed as, for example, a wire basket unit or a wire filter unit for medical instruments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition including a fluorine-containing polymer, and excellent in heat resistance even if only a small amount of additives is added to the composition. The present invention relates to a composition, comprising: a fluorine-containing polymer (a) and a cobalt compound (b).

Abstract: Flexible electronically functional fibers are described that allow for the placement of electronic functionality in traditional fabrics. The fibers can be interwoven with natural fibers to produce electrically functional fabrics and devices that can retain their original appearance.

Abstract: The invention provides carpet fibers prepared from a blend of polymeric components, said fiber exhibiting improved properties, such as improved spinnability and improved fire resistance. The carpet fibers particularly comprise a majority of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and a minority of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The invention further provides yarns and carpets prepared from the inventive fibers, said yarns and carpets likewise exhibiting improved properties. The invention also provides methods of improving various physical properties (such as fire resistance, spinnability, and elongation) of a polymeric composition.

Abstract: Provided are an amorphous polyetherimide fiber having not only a small single fiber fineness suitable for producing fabrics, and a fabric comprising the amorphous polyetherimide fiber. The fiber comprises an amorphous polyetherimide polymer having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than 2.5, and having a shrinkage percentage under dry heat at 200° C. of 5% or less, and a single fiber fineness of 3.0 dtex or less. The fiber may have a tenacity at room temperature of 2.0 cN/dtex or greater.

Abstract: Resin compositions of the invention are capable of effectively impregnating conventional braid forms and comprise at least one relatively low viscosity resin and at least one viscosity modifier. Hot-melt processing of such resin compositions and others imparts additional advantages and processing efficiencies when preparing braid-reinforced composites.

Abstract: A fiber for artificial hair that has an improved appearance with a suppressed gloss is obtained by combining regenerated collagen fibers having different shapes in cross section. An artificial hair product using the same is provided. The fiber for artificial hair according to the present invention is obtained by combining fibers having different shapes in cross section. The fiber for artificial hair includes regenerated collagen fibers, and the regenerated collagens fibers include at least two types of regenerated collagen fibers whose cross-sectional shapes are selected from the group consisting of shapes including an elliptical shape, a circular shape, and a multifoil shape. The artificial hair product of the present invention includes the above-described fiber for artificial hair.

Abstract: A process for producing a tapered multifilament yarn comprising feeding a drawable filament to a drawing apparatus and changing the take-over speed relative to the feed speed of the filament in order to change the thickness of the filament in a longitudinal direction, characterized by making the take-over speed slower than the feed speed under heating in a part of the filament in the longitudinal direction and thereby shrinking and thickening the part of the filament. According to the process, the ratio of the thickness of the thickest part of the tapered multifilament yarn to the thickness of the thinnest part thereof can be easily increased.

Abstract: Flame retardant compositions that include a thermoplastic polyurethane, a metal hydrate flame retardant and a phosphorus-based flame retardant are provided. The compositions are characterized by good flame retardant properties, as well as high insulation resistance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to materials comprising polylactic acid (PLA). In accordance with the invention, PLA material is stretched in at least the machine direction at a total stretch ratio of 1:4 or more. These materials have excellent biodegradability and find use in horticulture, in particular for tying up plants or parts thereof.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions and methods of making and using such compositions are provided. The compositions incorporate at least one component that is a polymer including propylene-derived units and at least one component that is a styrenic block copolymer. The polymeric compositions are found to have desirable elastomeric properties while at the same time exhibiting beneficial processability characteristics. The unique combination of processability and performance attributes result in the polymeric compositions useful in a variety of applications such as films, fibers, woven and non-woven fabrics, sheets, molded objects, extruded forms, thermoformed objects, and all products made from such application materials.